How are firms responding to Philippine FTAs?

The Philippines has been more cautious in its policy towards free trade agreements (FTAs) than other ASEAN member states, having signed, so far, only one bilateral agreement with Japan in addition to the various ASEAN+1 agreements. While the Government is expected to progressively reduce preferential tariffs to zero, Philippine firms have historically been slow to take advantage of FTAs. This survey reaffirms that this awareness and the usage of FTAs need significant improvement among both manufacturing and services sector firms. Identified as the main source of information for FTAs, the Government needs to increase the efficiency, scope and reach of its promotional and technical training programmes and to rely further on technology to deliver results. These efforts to enhance FTA utilisation are directly linked with the easing of rules of origin (ROOs) compliance and administration. At the national level, these efforts include reforms towards electronic Certificates of Origin (COOs) and selfcertification, and linkage to the national single window (NSW). This will improve timelines and ease the entry of micro, small and medium enterprises. Regional efforts to harmonise ROOs can increase FTA utilisation across ASEAN member countries and pave the way for the forthcoming Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP).